Hearing continued for man charged with threatening ex-girlfriend

February 1, 2013

MARTINSBURG - A preliminary hearing for an Inwood man arrested in January for allegedly making terroristic threats was continued Thursday in Berkeley County Magistrate Court to allow him to apply for a court-appointed attorney.

Jose Mata, 46, of Harranda Court, was arraigned Jan. 21 on one felony count of making terroristic threats, as well as misdemeanor charges of domestic assault, disorderly conduct and carrying a deadly weapon.

No new hearing date was scheduled Thursday. An incarcerated individual has a right to have a preliminary hearing within 10 days of their arrest, but may waive the statutory time frame to have the hearing.

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Mata

According to court records, at about 4:16 p.m. Jan. 21, police responded to a report of a threat in progress at the alleged victim's residence in Inwood. When police arrived at the scene, the woman told them that her ex-boyfriend, later identified as Mata, was attempting to damage her vehicle with a scooter.

Deputies found Mata standing next to the woman's vehicle, which was parked next to the victim's residence. There was a scooter on the ground next to him. When questioned, he denied wanting to damage anything.

Deputies spoke with the woman again, as well as neighbors, who stated that Mata had made "threats of a terroristic nature," records show.

Mata allegedly stated several times that he was going to destroy the woman's vehicle and burn down her residence. Witnesses also said Mata threatened to cause bodily harm to the victim and her family several times, and allegedly told the victim he would hurt her, records show.

Prior to performing a pat-down search of Mata, a deputy asked him if he had any weapons or other items that could hurt anyone on his person. According to police, Mata said he didn't, but the deputy found a black spring-loaded pocket knife with the blade out in Mata's pocket. The knife was 7 1/2 inches long.